Understand: Basting / Tacking (Sewing for Beginners)

Understand the terms 'basting' and 'tacking'. What is 'baste' 'tack' in sewing and how do you 'baste' or 'tack' on the sewing machine or by hand. Learn all about basting and tacking in this video.
Sewing for Beginners Series: • Sewing for Beginners
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Made to Sew Aria Top: www.madetosew.com/product/ari...
Fabric: Black & White Gingham: www.misan.co.uk/
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Cotton Basting Thread: www.empressmills.co.uk/shop/s...
Silk Basting Thread: www.empressmills.co.uk/shop/s...
Clover Chalk Pen: www.madetosew.com/product/clo...
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[@sisterkerry]

I am in the process of making my first dress. I have never even threaded a sewing machine before. I have had the machine for a while, but was too scared to use it 😱I am very grateful for your tutorials. The way you explain things is so clear. Consequently, I have bitten the bullet and my journey of a thousand mistakes has begun. I just thought I'd say that I bought a pack of three different colour basting threads from Amazon. This has come in very useful. One of my early mistakes was to buy fabric that proved to be transparent. I decided to underline it. I realise this is a bit bonkers, but I aim to learn so hey ho. I have used one colour to sew around all the pattern pieces. This only took 141 years, so not too bad. Then the pattern (from ye olden days) called for basting here there and everywhere. I realised that having a different colour basting thread from the one used is mightily handy. There might, of course, be a good reason why this is a bad idea. I have just not realised it right at this moment...

[@MadetoSew]

This sounds wonderful, and a great idea. You are right on track. Good luck! Aneka x

[@yay-cat]

As wonderful as this video was I might need to re-watch it because I was mesmerised by how lovely your nails look!

[@MadetoSew]

Oh thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video too.

[@Leddex_vr]

It was her accent for me.🙃

[@WoodLeather]

​@@Leddex_vryes, I loved the accent too

[@withlovefromjody3447]

This is great! I need to go back and binge watch your beginners tutorials from the start! Thank you - please keep posting.

[@MadetoSew]

So kind, thank you so much.

[@supermom7392]

Again, I learned something new. Thank you for discussing the different types of threads used for basting. Removing basting has always been a struggle for me. Thank you again.

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased. Thank you. Aneka x

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

I’ve been sewing since 1985 and find new stuff in your videos. Always good to learn a new thing. And, those nails! Like butter!

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you so much xx

[@teresamcdaniel8873]

Thanks for the tips, at 68 yo, I decided to start sewing again, I turned that off for about 20 years. I had to rememorize my Singer, discovered it had functions I didn't realize. I am glad I saved the manual. I also went online and ordered some additional parts that are great.

[@amourcamilia145]

You’re such an amazing teacher , your way of explaining things is amazing as well❤thank you so much❤

[@azrani2023]

Thank you, this was incredibly clear and helpful! :)

[@carolinelackeyJCOTMlight]

I like your videos so much Thank you! For explaining so well and being so dedicated to explaining every detail.

[@MadetoSew]

Glad you like them! Thank you for your kind words

[@lordnookes]

Thank you, this is delivered with such clarity I and now I understand.

[@vasvism]

Thank you very much! This was incredibly helpful.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you so much. Aneka x

[@TOCTAAM]

Thank you this really helps me with my class! I just subbed

[@MadetoSew]

Glad it helped.

[@garrettbaker8098]

Thank you for the great information!

[@princesschantel9272]

You are the best teacher.. Thank you so much 😘 😘

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you this means such a lot. Aneka x

[@celiahaddon4087]

Thanks for the tip about the self threading needle. I've always wondered what they were used for .

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased I could help. Aneka x

[@supermom7392]

I always wondered about those needles as well. Good point.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you x

[@TheRealApocalypseCowboy]

Sooooo helpful. Subscribed!!!

[@stickypawn]

Thank you! I was so confused about the difference between basting and tacking

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased it was helpful

[@eileen8130]

Brilliant, thank you.

[@roz_c7231]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you for making this series 😁🤗

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you. Glad you find it helpful

[@barefacedquestions]

Hi Aneka. If I sew the bast stitch on the seam line, then will I need to remove it before sewing the actual seam? Because otherwise it will be hard to remove the basting thread.

[@marlowe5555]

Fantastic series Aneka! Thank you for your precise and engaging tutorials. A question regarding basting... if using on garments in order to test for fit... won’t the deviation from the seam allowance make for a looser fit than the finished garment? How do you control for that when testing for fit? Thanks from Toronto. Marlowe.

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Marlowe, thank you so much for a lovely comment. Really pleased you are enjoying the series. Sorry if the tutorial wasn't clear. I will ALWAYS stitch on the sewing line if I am fitting a sample garment, or fitting a garment. If I am basting to hold something together for another layer to join then I will baste in the seam allowance. Does that clear up your question? Thanks, Aneka x

[@marlowe5555]

Made to Sew Thank you for your reply Aneka. All clear! Looking forward to your continuing series :)

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you x

[@saramanzoni8118]

Hi, great video! Question, that may sound weird, but is it physically possible to zig zag stitch over the seam allowance of a serged seam? Would it work or would the machine get jammed? Thank you in advance for your answer!

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Sara, To be totally honest I have never tried this, and it would probably depend on the machine you have. I think my machine would be happy to do it though. Give it a go and let me know how you get on? Aneka

[@saramanzoni8118]

@@MadetoSew ok thank you so much, I will

[@MadetoSew]

@@saramanzoni8118 any issues let me know.

[@deborahjones5630]

Hi, I hope your doing well. Question-i"v decided to enter the Annual Red Dress Contest-due in earlier December. I will let contacting you. Thanks

[@MadetoSew]

Wow, that sounds amazing. Yes let me know. Aneka x

[@reicosplay]

Do I still use a straight stitch to baste a stretch polyester + spandex fabric?

[@MadetoSew]

Yes you can.

[@stylistselena]

When you go to see the real stitch, do you remove the tacks afterwards?

[@MadetoSew]

Yes most of the time you will remove the tacking afterwards.

[@kavitasinha8626]

Hi, am having a doubt, 😅 Can you please tell me that what are the use of these numbers on the thread tension dial? Btw, the video was awesomeeee ❤️❤️😄

[@MadetoSew]

I think this video will explain it better than I can: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJqaaWl7gc6lrNE Any Q's let me know. 😊

[@kavitasinha8626]

@@MadetoSew Thank you soo much❤️🧡💙💚💛! It really helps😄

[@ruth3082]

Hi Aneka, thanks so much for this video. I am really wondering: Why is basting almost never mended or recommended these days? Are there any downsides to it, other than it taking time? Everyone is talking about pinning or clipping. But whenever I only pin 2 layers of Jersey or any other stretchy fabric together, the result is never as good as when I've basted it before ...

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Ruth, really sorry for the delayed reply. There is no downside to basting, I think that most people want a 'quick project' perhaps and that is why pins/clips are used instead. However some seams still really need basting to achieve professional results; and if you don't spend the time basting you end up wasting time undoing the work and dealing with mistakes. The only downside I can see to basting is time; so I would choose basting/or not basting on a project/fabric basis? This of course also depends on the confidence and ability of the sewist! If you like basting and it works for you, I would keep doing it! Aneka x

[@ruth3082]

@@MadetoSew thank you so much for your thoughts! I always feel like I spend basically the same amount pinning or basting, only clipping is sometimes faster. Everything depending on the fabric, of course.

[@MadetoSew]

@@ruth3082 Glad I could help share my reasoning / experience. Aneka x

[@sarahturps1384]

If we sew a basting stitch, can we see over it or should we remove it.

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Sarah, you can do either. If you sew over it and it’s hidden in the seam then you don’t have to remove it. Of course I would remove if it is visible. 😊

[@Faithyoungforever21]

Would you tack a fabric to cover a hole?

[@MadetoSew]

I presume you mean by hand? I would probably do a tighter stitch if you want the hole to stay closed.

[@dancetoday542]

Thank you Aneka. May I ask something. When I machine tack on the stitching line, I find that the subsequent 'proper' stitching locks down much of the tacking making it difficult to remove. What is the answer to that? I've started hand basting sides of dresses to try on but it is time consuming. If I bought dedicated tacking thread would this make it easier to remove even if the proper stitching has gone over it. I am using a cotton fabric at the moment. Thank you

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Marilyn, I would either baste/tack close to but not on the stitching line. Say 3mm away. This works for lots of seams. But not if you really need to match something e.g. a plaid fabric or a certain matching seam. Proper cotton tacking thread is easier to remove than normal sewing thread so that will help. It is thicker and breaks more easily. Hope that helps? Aneka x

[@dancetoday542]

@@MadetoSew Thank you. This particular pattern only has a one cm seam allowance but I could baste just inside that. Thanks re the tacking thread.

[@MadetoSew]

@@dancetoday542 yes if you don’t need to tack exactly on the line (which needs to happen when matching patterns or seams). Just baste 2mm off the seam and this will help. And yes tacking thread definitely easier to remove. Good luck!

[@dancetoday542]

@@MadetoSew thank you Aneka. That makes sense to me.

[@MadetoSew]

@@dancetoday542 Pleasure.

[@Shao526]

I was looking for videos on how to baste steak and I accidentally came here

[@MadetoSew]

Ha ha! Enjoy your steak! 👍

[@carlday30]

Do you have any special tips for tailor tacks?

[@MadetoSew]

I have a video here Carl: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpiWm5qfl5mNiNk

[@carlday30]

Thank you,@@MadetoSew!

[@MadetoSew]

@@carlday30 I hope it helps.

[@Firuzeh]

🌸🙏🏼🙏🏼👌🏽👌🏽🌸

[@MadetoSew]

❤️

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Wait - I thought tailors tacks were tacking? Or is by my English to American translator gone on the fritz?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Elizabeth, hmm... you probably could refer to tailor's tacks as tacking. But tacking is the British word for basting, we don't (or didn't in my grandmothers era) use basting. 😃

[@arcan762]

hot mom vibes

[@lancethrustworthy]

I wish all well. The audio is poor in this series because they didn't use a personal mic. We hear room reverb and that's never a good thing.